Local and Regional Governments in Europe
CEMR_structures_and_competences_2016_EN
CEMR_structures_and_competences_2016_EN
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The Netherl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
The K<strong>in</strong>gdom of the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s is a constitutional monarchy.<br />
The state of the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s is a decentralised unitary state composed of municipalities (gemeenten)<br />
<strong>and</strong> prov<strong>in</strong>ces (prov<strong>in</strong>cies) <strong>and</strong> water boards (waterschappen).<br />
State structure<br />
unitary<br />
Number of<br />
Sub-national governments<br />
2012 2016<br />
LOCAL 418 390<br />
REGIONAL 12 12<br />
Capital city<br />
Amsterdam<br />
Population<br />
16,829,289 (3.3% EU)<br />
Geographical size<br />
41,540 km²<br />
Currency<br />
Euro (EUR)<br />
Vote<br />
non-compulsory<br />
EU Member State s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
1958<br />
26<br />
Seats <strong>in</strong> the<br />
12<br />
Seats <strong>in</strong> the<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Parliament<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Committee<br />
of the Regions<br />
<strong>Local</strong> level 390 municipalities (gemeenten)<br />
Competences<br />
The local council (gemeenteraad) is<br />
the municipality's deliberative body.<br />
Its members are councillors elected<br />
for a period of four years via the<br />
proportional representation system.<br />
The local council is <strong>in</strong> charge of the<br />
college of mayor <strong>and</strong> aldermen,<br />
makes all ma<strong>in</strong> municipal decisions<br />
<strong>and</strong> has the power to pass by-laws. It<br />
is chaired by the mayor, who cannot<br />
take part <strong>in</strong> any of the council votes.<br />
The college of mayor <strong>and</strong> aldermen<br />
(burgemeester en wethouders) is the<br />
municipality's executive body. The<br />
college prepares <strong>and</strong> implements local<br />
council decisions <strong>and</strong> is responsible<br />
for execut<strong>in</strong>g national policies at the<br />
local level (medebew<strong>in</strong>d). Aldermen,<br />
whose number varies depend<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
the municipality, are elected by the<br />
council for a four-year m<strong>and</strong>ate.<br />
The mayor (burgemeester) chairs the<br />
local council <strong>and</strong> the college of mayor<br />
<strong>and</strong> aldermen. He/she is formally<br />
appo<strong>in</strong>ted for a six-year m<strong>and</strong>ate<br />
by the national government at the<br />
proposal of the local council. The<br />
mayor has the power to vote with<strong>in</strong><br />
the college of mayor <strong>and</strong> aldermen<br />
<strong>and</strong> his/her vote can be decisive.<br />
• Urban plann<strong>in</strong>g*<br />
• (Social) Hous<strong>in</strong>g*<br />
• Civil eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g*<br />
• Transport: local roads, city<br />
transport <strong>and</strong> public transport**<br />
• Public health <strong>and</strong> youth care:<br />
prevention <strong>and</strong> education*<br />
• Public safety <strong>and</strong> order<br />
• Disaster management *<br />
• Primary <strong>and</strong> secondary education:<br />
school build<strong>in</strong>gs*<br />
• Employment<br />
• <strong>Local</strong> <strong>and</strong> regional economy<br />
• Childcare<br />
• Social services <strong>and</strong> welfare*<br />
• Culture <strong>and</strong> sports<br />
• Leisure, Recreation <strong>and</strong> Tourism<br />
• <strong>Local</strong> media <strong>and</strong> broadcast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
* See p.90<br />
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